Wichita eagle., 1887-02-08

alone with him, but he was as equally in
tent on a few moments private talk, and
soon outgeneraled ne. He lured ne to a
shadowy nook, and OF once renewed the
| subject of our last conversation. l can
| not how understand how | resisted his
eloquent pleading, but L did. | vowed |
would never forgive biDl-never; not if he
lay dead at my feet. He had wrecked my
! life, ruined my faith in mankind and
made fool of me for his amusement.
Rising suddenly to his feet, he ex-
claimed hoarseiy: lyon shall have my
dead body to repent over, stony heart, p"
and with lightning like movement he
| slipped over the rail iEto the water a
I faint splash as of leaping fish, which
, was unnoticed by any of the rest, who
were caroling a gay song.
| neither moved or made a sound but
sat frozen with horror, my eyes fixed
upon the smooth surface of the water
Only few ripples and all was still; he
had gone to his death in the dark DEPTHS.
and henceforth my life was to be a
haunted one. l said 20 word, made no
sign and in the seEl;-gloom he was not
missed that evening
Next day when we left there nothing
had as yet been said Of his absence. and
never heard how it was accounted for
Well. we returned TO Milwaukee. where
/ was soon once more in the trcndr7iu Of
school Ny trouble was 50 great that
for time | was stunned. / wcat about
my duties mechanically and never rerneIn-
bered afterward the events Of the fall.
looked upon myself with leatiiug. as
murderess, and sleeping or waking,
those beautiful, haunting brown eyes
were ever before me with their pleading
look. His words of passionate protest
against my hardness ever rang in my
ears. Some way time dragged on, and
that very winter Aunt Kate found me out,
took me home, where first knew what
home and mothers love were
Then, when she died year later she
left me half a million. Nh Bennett and
his wife were very kind, and / made my
home with them; was introduced TO the
gay world, where my wealth Won me
suitors by the score.
But my heart was with Ward Howe il
his unknown grave in the depths of
Devils lake, and my faith in all mankind
was lost forever.
Last fall | went to New York to spend
the season with a friend. Soon after my
arrival we went to the opera, and i'll the
leading tenor, to my Mortified surprise, l
recognized Ward Howe.
You stare, and well you may. After
three years Of never ccasing agony and
remorse with a well nigh broken heart,
to find | had been fooled. fooled.
Heavens, such a surging wave Of rage
swept over me, such a blind wrath pos
sessed me that | wonder did no mad act
! can understand now how some murders
are committed, for had had Il weapon
he surely never had lived TO break an
other girls heart.
But | did nothing, sat statue like in my
place and listened 10 his clear, sweet
voice in impassioned song. remembering
how he had S ing bits from that same
opera to nee as we fiCatcd under the
blue sky over the blue water in my fools
paradise.
At the conclusion he WAS called for
again and again, and finally appeared,
bowling and smiling. | waited until the
shower of bouquets and burst OF applause
We're over: then. leaning far out, cast
one single blood red rose So that il struck
him sharply.
He raised his eyes-ah, no m:staking
those liquid orbs-aIni caught my Scorn-
full gaze. Instantly that same l0ol. of pas
leaped into them; then Il dazed, stunned
expression came over his face, and, bow
ing hurriedly, he left the stage
We left the house at once and have
never looked upon his face since. He
tried in every way possible to see me, but
aided by my friends evaded him, send
ing back his lettcfs unopened. | could
never willingly see him again. \ horror
OF what he must be TO burden girls
heart with the crime of murder, 10 go
away and live his happy. careless life,
when he knew | was thinking hiln dead
by my act, showed a depth of evil in his
heart that made me shrink Fl the thought
of meeting him again.
Only when the burden rolled away did
! fully realize It's weight. l.ater. whom |
told III" whole wretched story To Mr..
Bennett, lie said lie had tailed with Ward
that very day about ne; ANA he had
heard fer the iirst time of my toviy posi-
tioa. He had Sipro~cl l'ne sCi>ec j;c.~V;s
that Mrs. Bennett Wa Chap. roniE@.
Then | could understand that the story
he told me and his tragic plunge into :he
water We're only trick - eVaic his en-
gagment with POOR e;ri. Could under
stand how easily he swan ashore and went
away rejoicing in his freedom, never
thinking or caring for the burden Ae had
laid upon Il girls heart. | 90 nos know
what became of him. He sang once in
Milwaukee, but | did net hear him. |
never wish to see him again.-Rye John
son in Pioneer Press